SIR - My heart bleeds for the bleating pansy police raised in the climate of claiming compensation. The British bobby was world famous for courage and fair treatment but the current crop is hell bent on bringing the Bradford bobby into disrepute by some of their colleagues questioning the wisdom of their superiors.

It is not beyond imagination that soon this lot will take their inspectors to Court for giving them nothing to do, as they were bored.

I think these "claiming Karens" should be allowed to leave the force with their dignity intact but repaying for the excellent training they received.

As they are clearly not up to the job, they should be replaced with cheaper Gurkhas, Kashmiris, Rajputs and Bengalis who have exhibited their valour on behalf of the United Nations as peace-keepers in the different hot spots around the world.

An alternative would be to privatise the police with no sick pay but private insurance against sickness and physical/mental injuries.

That may not be such a far-fetched idea.

Mashud Haque, Amblers Croft, Thackley

SIR - One wonders if the powers-that-be think before acting. Not, it seems, in the case of Baildon.

Sandals School - closed. Ferniehurst School - closed and now demolished, another ugly scar on the ever-decreasing Green Belt in this area.

In their place, up go "breezeblock boulevards" such as West Garth, Bertram Drive, Baildon Wood Court etc. Profit for a few, purgatory for the others. In a while even the bus drivers will have to consult a map when a passenger proffers a fare and says "Baildon please".

Even allowing for the changes in education, Ferniehurst School could have had a future as an up-to-date community centre. It had good stonework and was ideally placed. What a setback to the parents, teachers and children who campaigned so hard to keep it open.

What next for Baildon? A road tunnel from Cliff Lane West through to Dick Hudson's, eh?

Kevin Bailey, Knoll Terrace, Baildon.

SIR - The headline on your article on Council house demolition at Buttershaw (July 25) "Don't Knock Down These Shabby Flats", was derogatory.

Obviously boarded-up un-let properties don't look attractive but the biggest vandals here are the Council who have neglected them in order to sell the land.

Many of the protesters told the reporter their demonstration was about the fact money had actually been given to Royds to improve these properties and they wanted answers to where the money had gone. The authority's claim that it cannot afford to refurbish does not answer that question.

The statement that the buildings we were defending were also in the film Rita, Sue & Bob Too, is inaccurate. Despite the report's negative theme, we are proud of Council housing. It will probably outlast the inferior quality of modern building. We are also proud of such local talent as Andrea Dunbar.

Amid the scaffolding are tenants still living in these houses because the Council has failed to come up with adequate housing for them. They now face buildings crashing down around their ears.

Eileen Allen (Defend Council Housing Campaign), Reevy Road West, Buttershaw.

SIR - G Watkins (T&A letters, July 27) says forget about a through-train, let's all go to Leeds instead.

This is exactly the type of negative attitude that is bringing Bradford down. If anything, instead of utilising Leeds for absolutely everything, we should boycott it if we can and only use it where absolutely necessary.

If we don't have faith in our own city, it will never get better. Please, everyone, write to Railtrack asking for a through-line. The more people campaign, the better chance we have of getting one.

And if you can, use Bradford for what you need instead of Leeds next door.

Richard Killip, Wibsey Park Avenue, Bradford 6.

SIR - How can people say that that Ravenscliffe has had no money from the Newlands Partnership Board?

They funded the humps and bumps for the roads through the estate, the multi-games area and the swings and slides behind the youth and community hall.

Double glazing was fitted on Greengates and Hallwood Green with the middle of the estate to come later this year. Alarms have been fittted to council houses throughout Ravenscliffe and Greengates.

The Enterprise Centre has had a new kitchen. Metal fencing has been fitted around some of the houses that are on snickets.

The Victoria Rangers have been funded by the Newlands Partnership board. To come is a new community hall and offices, class room and a meeting hall where the first school used to be on Ravenscliffe Avenue.

Mrs L Jowett (founder member of Greengates & Ravenscliffe Forum), Norbury Road, Ravenscliffe.

SIR - May I, through the T&A, say a very big thank you to the wonderful people from St John's Church who came round in a working party and cleared the streets and Paley Road of all the filth and litter. What a difference this made, but for how long?

I have lived in East Bowling all my life. It used to be a beautiful place but what a change! It has deteriorated badly over the years.

This weekend has certainly made a difference, so thanks once more to those very kind people from St John's.

Mrs W Austin, Rayleigh Street, East Bowling.

SIR - Were the Woodside residents who bought their homes (with, no doubt, a massive discount) not aware that because the houses are no longer council-owned, the Council is not now responsible for improvements and maintenance (T&A report, July 30)?

My parents bought their council home and, naturally, had to pay themselves for their drive, including kerb lowering and footpath reinstatement.

I thought is was well-known that one of the disadvantages of home ownership was that the owner is responsible for its upkeep.

A case of wanting your cake and eating it?

Adrian Freeman, Hawkshead Way, Bradford